It’s been a while since HTC has done something to steal the Windows Phone headlines, since the Windows Phone 8x and 8s from the end of 2012. Sure, there were rumors last year of a Windows Phone-running HTC One (M7), just as there are this year, of a Windows Phone 8.1-powered HTC One (M8). Whether these will ever become a reality is anyone’s guess.

Microsoft has just completed the acquisition of Nokia‘s Devices and Services division on Friday, making it the largest Windows Phone vendor on the market. OEMs like Samsung (with its new ATIV SE), and HTC (without any solid rumors of an upcoming device) are facing a giant competitor that became, as of Friday, even bigger.

However, HTC is still considering Microsoft a valuable partner. A company spokesperson said: “Our position remains the same: Microsoft remains a valued partner and we don’t anticipate any change to our relationship“. We’d ask: what relationship? The way things are at the moment, that aforementioned relationship has not materialized (yet) in a Windows Phone for 19 months. The good thing is that HTC is not publicly waving off Windows Phone, now with the Micronokia behemoth in place, and there is still chance for a future Redmond-powered device wearing HTC’s badge. Will it be as beautiful as the One (M8), now with the head of design departing?